Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Singular Semester Past Review

By (The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/27/2012 with

University of Exeter: Exeter - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Going abroad was a hugely rewarding experience. I was in a more independent living situation than at my home university. I had to learn to take care of myself and manage money. My travels provided me with unforgettable cultural experiences and introduced me to lifelong friends.

Review Photos

Direct Enrollment: Exeter - University of Exeter Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The work load at the University of Exeter was significantly less than what I am used to at my home university. However, my professors were knowledgeable and accessible.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All of the international students lived together, so we did not mix with local students as much as we could have. However, we were given the opportunity to join student societies to become more fully integrated at the university.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The cost of living was rather high, but students can travel cheaply.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is much cheaper to cook your own meals than to go out to eat.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I enjoyed living with other international students in that I got a more well-rounded cultural experience than I expected.
  • The flexibility of the academic schedule meant that I had time to experience being abroad.
  • The location of my host university made it easy for me to travel throughout Europe.
* What could be improved?
  • I do not think that students from the same home university should live together.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I did not know that upper class students do not live on the campus. As exchange students, we were not around local students our age outside of the classroom.